Combined ignition and starter switch



Aug. 29, 1950 W. A. HEIDMAN, JR

COMBINED IGNITION AND STARTER SWITCH Filed June 5, 1947 ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 29, 1950 COMBINED IGNITION AND STARTER SWITC William A. Heidman, Jr., Grand Rapids, Mich. Application June 5, 1947, Serial No. 752,645

11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in a combined ignition and starter switch.

The principal objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a combined ignition and starter switch for automobiles of simplified design and construction and having simplified operating characteristics.

Second, to provide a combined switch and lock assembly which is operative in its unlocked position to energize the ignition circuit of an engine and movable axially to energize the starter circuit of the engine.

Third, to provide a combined lock and switch assembly in which the lock member is rotated from a locked position by a key to energize the ignition circuit of an engine and movable axially against spring pressure when in unlocked position by pushing on the key to energize the starter circuit, of the engine.

Fourth, to provide a combined lock and switch assembly for energizing the ignition and starter circuits of an engine in which the starter and ignition circuits may not be closed without the use of a key and in which the key may not be removed from the lock without first de-energizing both the starter and ignition circuits.

Fifth, to provide a highly practical lock and switch assembly for simplifying the locking and starting of an internal combustion engine.

Other objects and advantages relating to the details and economies of the invention will be apparent from the following description and claims.

The drawings, of which there is one sheet, illustrate a preferred form of my lock and switch assembly and one modified form of switch memher for use therein.

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view partially broken away in cross section along the line l-l in Fig. 2 and showing my lock and switch in position to energize the ignition circuit and de-energize the starter circuit of an automobile engine.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the switch assembly shown in Fig. 1.

I Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to Fig. 1 and showing the switch actuated to energize the starter circuit, the electrical circuits associated with the switch being shown conventionally.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the lock housing employed in my assembly.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view along the line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a rear elevational view of the lock cylinder employed in my switch assembly.

Fig. '7 is a side elevational view of the lock cylinder shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of the lock cylinder with the key removed.

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional View of a modified 2 form of switch member for use in switch assembly.

My lock and switch assembly consists generally of a lock housing I the rear end of which is flanged as at 2 to be attached to a cup-shaped switch housing 3. The lock housing is provided with transversely extending ears 6 apertured as at 5 to pass bolts for securing the assembly to the instrument panel of an engine and is arranged to receive a lock cylinder 5 shown in detail in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. The switch housing encloses an insulating terminal block I which is fixed to the bottom of the switch housing. The housing provides a chamber for the switch member generally indicated at 8 which is positioned between the end of the lock housing and the terminal block I.

The terminal block 1 is made of an insulating material such as hard rubber or plastic and is provided with three electrically conducting pins 9 angularly spaced around the terminal block and extending through suitable insulating grommets Hi to the rear side of the switch housing. The forward face of the terminal block 1 is recessed in center as at H and a fourth pin l2 extends from the bottom of the recess through an insulating grommet to the rear face of the switch housing. Preferably the inner ends of the pins 9 are cup-shaped as illustrated to form retaining detents for contact bosses l3 pressed rearwardly from a triangular fiangeM formed on a cupshaped contact member .I 5.

The switch member 8 is also made of insulating material like the terminal block and is provided with a rearwardly opening triangular recess I6 within which the forwardly turned flanges H of the contact member I5 are disposed. The switch member 8 carries a center supporting pin l8 which extends from the front face of the switch member into the recess H in the terminal member. The cup-shaped contact member 55 is slidably mounted on the center pin I3 and insulated therefrom by a suitable insulating sleeve i9. A coil spring 28 is positioned between the rear face of the switch member and the contact member to urge the contact member rearwardly. The forward face of theswitch member is provided with a pair of spaced semi-cylindrical recesses 2| arranged to receive and engage mating semi-cylindrical prongs 22 formed on the rear end of the lock cylinder 6. a

The pins 9 and 12 extending through the rear wall of the switch housing are provided with suitable screws or connections 13' for attachment to the electrical system of the automobile as shown in Fig. 3. One of the outer pins is connected to a conductor 23 extending to the live side of the battery 24. 'Another of the outer pins is connected to a-conductor 25 for energizing auxiliary equipment such as a gasoline gauge 26 and the third outer pin 9 is connected by the conductor tions to the instrument panel as is indicated at:

32 in Fig. 3.

From the above description it shouldb'e"ap1'3'a'rout that when the switch member8 is rotated to locked position by the lock cylinder as will be described presently, the contaictlbosseslt will.

engage the insulating front surface of the ter-- minal block 'i and no electrical connection can be madebetween the battery and any of the electric'al' equipment of theengine. When the switch member, 3 is rotated to bring the contact bosses i3" into engagement with theiforward ends of the pins 9 the ignition coil and auxiliary" instruments such as the gasolineauge will be energized through the cup-shaped contact member I5. The connection to thestarter" of the automobile is obtained by" pressing axially inwardly on the lock: cylinder to press the switch member 8 in wardly' against the compression of the coil spring 2's. Thus as" is showninFig; 3,'the center pin it on theswitfch member will project to the'rear of the cup-shaped contact'member i until it ongages the forward face ofthepin l2. An electrical circuit will then'be' completed through the relay 3e and conductor 25 to ground at 32 to energize the relayand' close the switch 31" to" actuate the starter-motor:

The mechanism and construction of the lock housing and lock cylinderby'meansofwhich the switch" member 8 is actuated is most clearly illustrated' in Figs; 4' to 8. Thelock housing defi'nesanaxial bore 33' arranged to havea rotatable and sliding fit with th'e lock cylinder 6. The bore as" is axially grooved as at 34' to" receive and engage the ward or looking 'bar' 35 carried by the lock cylinder; Theforward end of the bore 33" is radially enlarged or shouldered as at 36' throughout a fraction" of its circumference to receive the radially extending" prong. 37 extending from one side of thelock 'cylinder'near' the'forward end thereof. The function of the prong ST and its mating'shoulderflfi is tolimit'axialmotion of the lock' cylinder in the lock housing and to limit angularrotating'motionof the lock cylinder" in the housing by" engagement between the prong and the'ends oi theannular shoulderfiii'.

The rear end of the lock cylinder 6 defines an annular retaining groove 38' arranged to engage the'i'nwardly extending prong 39formed near the" rear end of the bore 38' in the lock housing. In order to permit entrance of the prong 39 into the groove '38 the rearend of the lock cylinder defines an arcuatenotch MI which when aligned with the prong 3'9 permits the lock cylinder to be moved axially in the bore 3'3 'unti1 the prong 39 registers with the groove 38.

In order to permit assembly of the lock c'ylimde'r in the lock housing, the radial shoulder 36 extends angularly a sufficient distancearound-thebore 3a to permit the'prong 31 to-enterthe groove while the prong- '39 is aligned the notch 4b. A- spring pressed pin 4 i is depressed by the prong 3? as the lock cylinder isinserted in the lock housing and when the lock cylind'eris rotated to engage the prong 39' between the sides of the groove 33, the in 4! springs outbehind' the prong 3! to prevent accidental rotation of the prong '31 and lock cylinder into aposition in which the pron 39- and notch 40 are aligned. The lock 3'5 carried on the lock cylinder. of" the lock cylinder is axially grooved as at 43 cylinder is thus securely retained in the lock housing and is rotatable therein throughout the angle between the pin il and the end of the arcuate shoulder 36. In order. topermit axially inward motion or" the lock cylinder in the lock housing I, the wall of the bore 33 is axially grooved as-sat 412, the groove opening to the annular shouldertt and being arranged to receive the prong The rear end to'pass-the prong Silas the lock cylinder is pressed inwardly and thegrooves 42 and 43 are angularly disposed with respect to the locking groove 3 1 so that the ward or locking bar 35 must be turned out of engagement with the groove 34 prior to axial motion of the lock cylinder;

The lock cylinder is provided with a key hole slot 44 in the forward end thereof arranged to receive akey' for actuating the lock ward 355' and the key and ward are arranged in a well known out actuating the lock cylinder, it is impossibleto energize the ignition circuit or the" starter of the automobile without the use of 'thekey.

The modified form of switch member BA il lustrated in Fig. 9'is similar'to the-preferred form 3 withthe-exception that thecenter pin [81% does not extend completely through the switch member 8A. The contact member 15A is provided with a forwardly turned annular flange as which is in electrical sliding contact with the rear'end of the pin [8A so that when the contact boss itof the contact 15A is in engagement with the live terminal 9, the live side-of the battery may'becon nected to the relay 38- by pressing the switchmember 8A and pin I-8A to the rear in the same manner as in thepreferred form of switch; Whenusing the modified form of switch member; the relay 353 will naturally be connected to ground rather than to the live side of the battery.

It will be noted that my lock and switch; assembly employs parts which are more or lessstandard in present day ignition switch locks with the addition of the center starter terminal tothe switch housing and the grooves in the lock housing and lock cylinder for axial motionof' the lock cylinder in the housing. The same coil spring which is presentl'yused toobtain good electrical contact between the terminals of the ignition switch is employed to return the switch member and starter contact to de-energized position so that with. very little increased cost over a standard ignition lock switch I am able to provide a lockable starter switch. Byusing my switch it is possible to prevent unauthorized persons or children from energizing the automobile starter and the automobile may be turned. on and the engine started by the single motion of inserting the key and unlockin the ignition system and pushing in on the ignition key. My switch eliminates separate starter buttons either foot or hand operated and may be manufactured at very low cost.

I have thus described twohighly practicalcommeroial embodiments of my invention and have not attempted to show all possible modifications thereof as such minor changes as may appear desirable should be apparent from the forego description. It should be apparent that various relative arrangements of the lock cylinder and housing prongs and grooves may be devised to provide the same operating characteristics as my switch. Thus the relative position of the prongs and grooves on the lock cylinder and lock housing may be reversed or the angular position on the cylinder or housing may be changed without departing from the theory of my invention. The lock and switch is applicable to automobiles, tractors, boats, airplanes and the like.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. Lock mechanism for a combined ignition and starter switch for an automobile comprising a lock housing arranged to be secured and grounded to the instrument panel of the automobile, a lock cylinder disposed directly in said lock housing and having a driving engagement with said switch, a key operated ward on said lock cylinder engageable with said lock housing for preventing rotation of said lock cylinder, a radially extending prong on the front of said lock cylinder, said housin defining an arcuate shoulder engageable with said prong to limit axial and rotative motion of said cylinder relative to said lock housing, and an axially extending groove in said lock housin opening to said arcuate shoulder to receive said prong to permit axial motion of said lock cylinder in a single rotative position thereof to move said switch axially.

2 A combined ignition and starter switch for an engine comprising a lock housing arranged to be secured and rounded to the instrument panel of the engine, a switch housing secured to the back of said lock housing, a terminal block secured in the rear of said switch housing and having three angularly spaced terminal pins opening to the forward face thereof, said terminal pins extending through the rear of said switch housing, the forward face of said terminal block defining a recess, a center pin extending between said recess and the rear of said switch housing, an insulating disc having a triangular recess in its rear face rotatably mounted in said switch housing, a cup-shaped contact member having triangularly disposed flanges non-rotatably received in said triangular recess, a guide pin extendin through said switch member and triangular recess and forming a support for said contact member, said contact member being insulated from said guide pin, three contact bosses spaced around the periphery of said contact member arranged to simultaneously engage or be disengaged from said angularly spaced pins on said terminal block by rotation of said disc, a coil spring positioned between said disc and said contact member for urging said contact member into engagement with said terminal block, a lock cylinder disposed directly in said lock housing and having a driving engagement with said disc andelectrical contact with said guide pin, a radially extendin prong on the front of said lock cylinder, said lock housing defining an arcuate shoulder engageable with said prong to limit axial and rotative motion of said cylinder relative to said lock housing, and an axially extending groove in said lock housin opening to said arcuate shoulder to receive said prong to permit axial motion of said lock cylinder in the unlocked rotative position thereof to move said disc and guide pin axially against the compression of said spring and to contact said lock housing with said center pin on said terminal block.

3. A combined ignition and starter switch for an automobile comprising a lock housing arranged to be secured and grounded to the automobile, a switch housing secured to said lock housing, a terminal block secured to said switch housing and havin angu arly spaced terminal pins opening to the forward face thereof, said terminal pins extending through the rear of said switch housing, a center pin extending between the forward face of said terminal block and the rear of said switch housing, an insulating switch member rotatably mounted in said switch housin a contact member having a rotary driving flange engaged with said switch member, a guide pin carried by said switch member and formin a support for said contact member, contact bosses on said contact member arranged to simultaneously engage or be disengaged from said angularly spaced pins on said terminal block by rotation of said switch member, a coil sprin positioned between said switch member and said contact member for urging said contact member into engagement with said terminal block, a lock cylinder disposed directly in said lock housing and having a driving engagement with said switch member, a prong on said lock cylinder, said cylinder defining an arcuate shoulder engageable with said prong to limit axial and rotative motion of said cylinder relative to said lock housing, and an axially extendin groove in said lock housing opening to said arcuate shoulder to permit axial motion of said lock cylinder in a single rotative position thereof to move said switch momber and guide pin axially against the compression of said spring and into contact with said center pin on said terminal block.

4. In combination with a cooperating cylinder lock and lock housing, said cylinder being rotatable directly in said housing between a locked and unlocked position, a switch housing secured to said lock housing and having a terminal block therein, a plurality of terminals angularly spaced around said terminal block and extending through said switch housing, an insulating disc positioned in said switch housing between said terminal block and lock hOllSil'lg and having a direct driving engagement with said cylinder, a metallic contact member carried by said disc and having contact bosses arranged to be rotated with said disc into and out of engagement with said terminals, a guide pin carried by said disc end supporting said contact membe for sliding motion relative to said disc, a coil spring positioned between said contact member and disc, and a starter terminal carried by said terminal block and extending through said switch housing, said starter terminal being engageable with said guide pin upon axial motion of said cylinder and disc against the compression of said spring, said lock cylinden and lock housing having cooperative prongs and grooves arranged to permit axial motion of said lock cylinder in the unlocked position thereof and prevent axial movement in all other positions thereof.

5. In combination with a cooperating lock cylinder and lock housing, said cylinder being key operated and rotatable directly in said housing between a locked and unlocked position, a switch comprising a housing secured directly to said lock housing, a terminal block in said switch housing, circularly arranged terminals mounted on said terminal block, an insulating switch member positioned between said terminal block and said: lock; cylinder: and haying a direct. drivingengagemennwithsaidlock cylinder; a guide mem- 1 her; carried by -said. switchmember and extending therethrough into electrical. engagement with" saidzlock. cylinder, azcont-act member carried onsaid guide member for axialsliding motion with.

respect thereto, sa-idrcontact member being, in sltlated from"; said guidemember and havingv a. driving; engagement withsaid switch member for rotation therewith; into. and out of engagementwith said terminals, aspringpositioned between:

said switch. memberand contact, member urging: saiitcontact. member toward saidterminals,. and: a starter: terminak carried. by said terminal block. centrally: thereof and engageable with said guide. membe1'-upo11 axial motion; of said switchmemeher and guidemember against the compression. of, said spring,.said lock cylinder and lock housinghaving cooperative: prong and groove por-- tions. permittin axial; motionofsaid lock cylindler; only. in. the unlocked: position of said cylinder.

6;. Incombination with: a lock. cylinder-and lock housing, said cylinder being key operated and rotatable directly in said housing between a locked and: unlocked: position andmovable axially at. said housing only in. the unlocked position; thereof, a combined ignition; and starter switch comprising a switch housing secured directly tosa-idalock; housin rand havingignition and: starter. terminals therein, an: insulating switch member hayingadirect driving engagement with said lock. cylinder, a spring urging; said switch member into engagement with saidilock cylinder, a first contact member rota-tablewith. said switch momher for engaging said ignition-terminalsbut movable axially relative tosaidswitch member, and: a contact pin member rigidly carried by said: switch member; and-,engageable with said starter terminalv upon. axial motion of said, lock cylinder: and-switch; member,, said contact pin extending through said: first contact member and forming a. supp orting, guide: therefor.

'7'. In combination; with. a lock. cylinder andloelc. housing, said cyllnderbeing key operated andirotatable directly in said housing between a locked'andunlocked positionand movable. axially of said; housing only in, theunlocked position thereof,. a: combined. ignition and starter. switch comprising; a. switchhousing secured; directly to' said; lockv housin and havin ignitionand, starter terminals therein, acontact member having a. driving: engagement. with said lock cylinder, a spring. compressed-between said contact member andsaidilock cylinder, and asecondcontactmember extending through-said first contact member. and; engageable between. said starter terminal. andloclc cylinder'upon axial motion of said lock; cylinder andisecondcontact member.

In; combination; with a cooperative loclrcyle inder and lockhousing, said cylinder being: key operated betweenv a, lockedand, unlocked position and: arranged to: hold the; key therein in the un locked; position thereof, a. switch comprising aterminaL bloclc. angularly arranged: ignition terminals mounted on said terminal. block, ana in-- suilating; switch; member positioned. between said temninalblock: and said lock cylinder-and having. a. direct driving engagement: with. said lock cylinderg, a; contacnmeinber carried on said? switch member for rotation: therewith. into and. out. of engagement Withi said terminals, a spring position'ed; between. said switch. member and contact member for urging: said: contact member toward said terminals; austarter contact rigidly carried by; said. switch. member, and a starter terminali carried by said terminal. block engageablerwithz said? starter contact upon axial. motion /of v switch member, saidlock cylinder and lock. housaing having cooperative-prong and grooveportionsi permitting axial motionof said lock cylinder im. the unlocked position of saidcylinden.

9'; A- combined ignition and starter. lock switch comprising a lock having a. cylinder key Y operated: between: a locked and: unlocked posh tion, said cylinder being arrangedtorretain saiit key in the-unlocked position thereof, a terminal; block havingignition. and starter terminals; thereon, an insulating switch membenhaving'ignitionand starter contacts thereonand having a,

driving engagement with said cylinder, said 'ig nition contacts being slidableaxially relative to said switch member, said switch member being: rotatable to engage said ignition contacts: Witha said ignition. terminals and: axially movable: tin engage said starter contactwithsaid-sta-rtentenminal, and a spring opposing relative axial: mo tion-of said switch member and ignition contactsh said cylinder being axially movable in, the. urilocked position thereof againstthecompressioib ofsaid springtomovesaid switch member axiallya 10. A combined ignition and starter lock switch comprising av lock havinga. cylinder" kenoperated' between a locked and unlockedrpositiom, a terminal block having ignition terminals: air-=- ranged around itsperiphery and a center starter: terminal extending therethrough an.- insulating; switch member having a-centeer starter contact: thereon and having a. drivin engagementwitlr. said; cylinder, a metal stamping slidably-mounted on said starter contact and havingrotarydriving: engagement with. said switch: member, ignitiona contacts formed on said stamping, SflJidSW-ibEha member being rotatable to engage said ignition; contacts with said ignition terminalsand axially movable to engage said starter contact withsaiti starter terminal, and aspring positioned between saidv stamping and said switch member opposing: axial motion ofsaid switch member, said-cylinder being axially movable only inthe. unlocked posttion thereof against the compression of said: sprin to move'said switch member axiallyi,

11. Lock mechanism for a combined ignition: and starter switch for an automobile-comprising: a, lock housing arrangedto be secured. and grounded to the instrument panel of the; autm mobile, a lock cylinder disposed directly-inisaidi' lock housing and having a driving engagement; with said switch, a. key operated ward: on: said: lock cylinder engageable with said: lock; housing: for preventing rotation of said: lock cylinders, a: radially extending projection on said lock cyl:-= inder, said: housing defining an arcuate; shoulder engageable with said projection to limit rota-titre. motioniof said cylinder relative to saidilock house ing, and an axially extending groove f0IIIL8( "m said lock, housing and. opening to said, shoulder to receive said projection. and permitraxial mm tion of said lock cylinder in: a single. rotati e position thereof to move said: switch: axially;

WILLIAM A. 'HEIDMAN; Ja.

(J1EE!) The following references are of record imthe file of this patent:

UNITED STATES. PA'I'ENTS.

Number Name:- Date;

1,884,148 Norvieli Oct. 15932 2,050.;951 Rae. Non 15 1336 

